The Rural Voice, 2005-07, Page 56GREY
County Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
446 10th St., Hanover, Ontario N4N 1 P9
Email: grey@ofa.on.ca Website. www.ofa.on.caigrey 519-364-3050 or 1-800-275-9551
' The Rural Voice is provided to OFA
Members in Grey County by the GCFA
The (deliberate?) abandonment of rural Ontario
In April 2004, when a prominent
government panel published its
findings that recommended rural
Ontario be let slowly die, it prompted
praise from the Premier and an outcry
from many who live .and work in these
doomed rural areas. The report stated
that rural communities could not
survive in the face of population and
economic decline, that the government
could not afford the subsidies necessary
to keep rural Ontario alive and the
future of Ontario lies in the urban
centres.
The Panel on the Role of
Government took this report to heart as
is indicated by the cavalier and callous
attitude exhibited by the present
government. This "Rural Phase Out"
called for the reduction of financial
support to rural Ontario. There has been
ample evidence of this in the last year.
When an increase in Education
funding is announced, or teachers
receive a new contract that translates
into smaller classrooms, more money
and less teaching time; what does that
mean for rural Ontario? Rather than
value the already smaller classes, or the
results that rural schools achieve, this
government closes rural schools, buses
the children longer distances to larger
schools and reduces or cuts programs.
A recent CBC radio show revealed the
high school dropout rate is increasing at
an alarming rate even while a recent
OMAF report says,
"The provincial trend to higher
education will continue. Occupations
requiring a university degree will
account for 25 per cent of projected
new jobs and those with some post-
secondary requirements will account
for another 29 per cent....."
When increases in Child Care
spending are announced, how much
makes it to rural Ontario? Many rural
families who could benefit from
assistance in this area do not even
qualify. Nor are childcare centres
GREY COUNTY FEDERATION OF AGRICULTURE
DIRECTORS' MEETING
Thursday, July 28, 2005 - 8:00 p.m.
Grey County Agricultural Services Centre
meeting room (Grey Gables)
206 Toronto Street South, Markdale
Members are welcome to attend
52 THE RURAL VOICE
springing up in small, rural
communities. Farm families should be
given the option of using these funds to
help pay a neighbour or family member
for care while the parents are working,
both on and off the farm. Distance and
transportation problems often prohibit
accessing smaller urban daycare centres
for many farm families, yet farm -
generated taxes subsidize these
childcare spaces just as do the taxes of
urbanites.
Ontario is suffering from a shortage
of doctors and nowhere is this as keenly
felt as in rural areas. Doctors are
relocating to urban centres in increasing
numbers. Rural communities have the
hospitals, the beds, and the clinics but
not the personnel or the funding to
provide the care. Meanwhile, urban
hospitals have lengthy waiting lists for
a variety of procedures. (Hmmm, we
have the space.....)
CAIS has proven to be a white
elephant, poorly implemented and
badly run. Rather than a financial tool
for agriculture, it has become a
nightmare of red tape. Recently, 1300
farmers, who either declined to register
or did not fit the CAIS mold, were
asked to return special BSE aid money,
although it seems that CAIS
registration was nqt originally a
prerequisite to receiving the aid.
Oilseed and grain sectors are facing
a 25 year low in prices, BSE continues
to devastate the livestock sector and
operating costs are being driven ever
upward by government legislation,
regulations and other inputs. This
government responded to the financial
crisis faced by agriculture, to the
protests and rallies by announcing a cut
of $169 million to OMAF in its 2005
Budget.
Stats Canada has projected 2005
farm income in Ontario will be a
negative $194 million - a 253 per cent
decline! Yet, the politicians at Queen's
Park have shut off the tap that was
sending desperately needed financial
support to farmers. Agriculture is
Ontario's second largest industry, and
contributes $8.6 billion annually to its
economic wealth. That's a lot of jobs
for the non-farm community and a lot
of rural economic development.
After more than two years of
hanging on, the equity is used up and
credit is no longer available. The
economic structure keeping rural
Ontario alive is beginning to crumble.
Urban Ontario is now beginning to feel
the effects of the crisis in agriculture, as
farmers can no longer buy vehicles,
furniture, and clothing. The frequently -
bailed -out auto sector has seen
drastically reduced sales, layoffs are
increasing in many sectors and it will
only continue.
The province has also reneged on its
agreement to provide full funding to
municipalities to support the Farm
Property Tax Rebate Program. This has
resulted in punitive property tax
increases for all residents in many rural
municipalities.
Perhaps the plan to choke the life
from rural Ontario was not so far-
fetched. And perhaps it is time to speak
up and say "Enough!" in a loud,
unified voice.
*Note - A quick survey around Grey
County found a big range in coloured
diesel prices. Remember to price shop
first.0
- Submitted by Anne Marie Watson
Second Vice -President.
Attention Farmers - We need your input!
How much did the recent "farm income payment" help your farm operation?
The Grey County Federation of Agriculture (GCFA) would like to hear from
our farmers the effect that government programs have had at the grassroots
level.
If you received a payment from the federal or provincial government to deal
with the farm income crisis, we would be interested in hearing from you.
In order that we can present your satisfaction, or dissatisfaction to
governments, please express your concerns along with numbers to GCFA.
Phone 519-364-3050 or 1-800-275-9551
Fax 519-364-4119 E-mail grey@ofa.on.ca